# Using the Amazon CloudWatch Logs query editor
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 To query CloudWatch Logs, select the Region and up to 20 log groups that you want to query. Use the main input area to write your query. For more information, see [CloudWatch Logs Insights query syntax](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/AmazonCloudWatch/latest/logs/CWL_QuerySyntax.html). 

 You can also write queries returning time series data by using the `stats` command in CloudWatch Logs Insights. When making `stats` queries in Explore, you have to make sure you are in Metrics Explore mode. 

 To the right of the query input field is a CloudWatch Logs Insights link that opens the CloudWatch Logs Insights console with your query. You can continue exploration there if necessary. 

## Using template variables
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 As with several other data sources, the CloudWatch data source supports the use of template variables in queries. For more information, see [Templates and variables](templates-and-variables.md). 

## Deep linking from Grafana panels to the CloudWatch Logs console
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 If you want to view your query in the CloudWatch Logs Insights console, choose the **CloudWatch Logs Insights** button next to the query editor. If you’re not currently signed in to the CloudWatch console, the link forwards you to the sign-in page. The provided link is valid for any AWS account but only displays the correct metrics if you’re signed in to the AWS account that corresponds to the selected data source in Grafana. 

## Alerting
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 Because CloudWatch Logs queries can return numeric data, for example, through the use of the `stats` command, alerts are supported. For more information, see [Grafana alerting](alerts-overview.md).